Defensive Scan
Defensive Scan
Defensive sector holding up well amid broader market weakness — nearly all names flat to slightly negative 30D with low volatility; GIS approaching oversold at RSI 30 while HRL is the lone standout at +3.3% 7D; seven names (PM, MO, K, SJM, CPB, HSY, CAG) have no data.
Quick Snapshot
| Signal | Reading |
|---|---|
| Overall | 🟡 NEUTRAL/DEFENSIVE — Staples acting as intended flight-to-safety; minimal 30D movement, broad RSI mid-range, no extreme signals except GIS approaching oversold |
| Leaders | HRL (RSI 53, +3.3% 7D), WMT (RSI 56, above SMA), KO (RSI 58, near SMA) |
| Laggards | GIS (RSI 30, -3.6% vs SMA), MDLZ (RSI 47, -3.9% 7D), CLX (-4.3% 7D) |
Price Table (2026-03-03)
| Stock | Price | RSI | SMA20 | vs SMA | 7D% | 30D% | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JNJ | $246.71 | 66 | $241.78 | +2.0% | +0.2% | +6.4% | 🟢 Strong |
| KO | $79.29 | 58 | $79.20 | +0.1% | -1.8% | +2.5% | 🟡 Neutral |
| PG | $159.66 | 51 | $160.57 | -0.6% | -3.4% | +2.8% | 🟡 Neutral |
| CL | $95.49 | 57 | $95.74 | -0.3% | -2.7% | +1.2% | 🟡 Neutral |
| CLX | $121.15 | 52 | $123.05 | -1.5% | -4.3% | +2.9% | 🟡 Neutral |
| MCD | $332.15 | 58 | $329.16 | +0.9% | -0.3% | +2.6% | 🟡 Neutral |
| GIS | $44.85 | 30 | $46.51 | -3.6% | +0.1% | +0.5% | 🟢 Approaching Oversold |
| HRL | $25.35 | 53 | $24.62 | +3.0% | +3.3% | +2.0% | 🟡 Neutral |
| MDLZ | $58.77 | 47 | $60.31 | -2.6% | -3.9% | -1.1% | 🟡 Weak |
| WMT | $127.91 | 56 | $127.74 | +0.1% | +0.9% | -0.1% | 🟡 Neutral |
| COST | $988.33 | 50 | $986.00 | +0.2% | +0.1% | +1.2% | 🟡 Neutral |
| PEP | $164.91 | 55 | $166.76 | -1.1% | -2.7% | -0.8% | 🟡 Neutral |
| PM | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | — | — |
| MO | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | — | — |
| K | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | — | — |
| SJM | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | — | — |
| CPB | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | — | — |
| HSY | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | — | — |
| CAG | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | — | — |
Tier Analysis
Capitulation (RSI < 25)
None. Defensives are holding their ground as intended.
Oversold (RSI 25–40)
GIS RSI 30 — General Mills is the only name approaching meaningful oversold. -3.6% below SMA despite flat 30D (+0.5%). Dividend yield and staples thesis intact. At RSI 30 this is approaching an entry zone for a quality defensive. Watch for RSI < 28.
Neutral (RSI 40–60)
The bulk of the defensive universe sits here — this is exactly what you want from defensives during a market rotation. PG RSI 51 — Barely below SMA (-0.6%), -3.4% 7D reflects mild profit-taking. Safe hold. CL RSI 57 — Colgate near SMA, minimal movement. Classic defensive. CLX RSI 52 — -4.3% 7D pullback to just below SMA (-1.5%); Clorox consolidating. COST RSI 50 — Consumer club retail holding exactly at SMA. $1T market cap stability. PEP RSI 55 — Slightly below SMA, -2.7% 7D. Pepsi softening slightly. MDLZ RSI 47 — Mondelez -2.6% below SMA, -3.9% 7D. Snack category slowdown concerns. WMT RSI 56 — Exactly at SMA, +0.9% 7D. Consumer resilience play holding steady. MCD RSI 58 — Slightly above SMA, minimal movement. Fast food defensive intact. KO RSI 58 — Exactly at SMA, slight pullback -1.8% 7D. Core defensive. HRL RSI 53 — Outperforming peers with +3.3% 7D, +3.0% above SMA. Hormel quiet strength.
Strong (RSI 60+)
JNJ RSI 66 — The standout in defensives: +2.0% above SMA, +6.4% 30D, +0.2% 7D. Healthcare/pharma hybrid acting as true safe haven. RSI approaching the 70 zone where you'd trim rather than add.
Entry Zones
| Stock | Entry Zone | Thesis |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 GIS | $43–$45 | RSI 30 approaching oversold; General Mills dividend stalwart, -3.6% below SMA |
| 🔍 MDLZ | $57–$59 | -2.6% below SMA, RSI 47; Mondelez global snack brands at mild discount |
| 🔍 PEP | $162–$165 | -1.1% below SMA, RSI 55; Pepsi pulling back mildly — accumulate zone |
| 🔍 CLX | $119–$122 | RSI 52, -1.5% below SMA; Clorox pullback on volume concerns |
| 🔍 PG | $158–$161 | RSI 51, near SMA; Procter staple, steady compounder |
| 🔒 JNJ | Hold | RSI 66 at +2% above SMA — don't add, but don't trim yet |
| ⚠️ JNJ | No add | RSI 66 approaching 70 — trim if reaches RSI 72+ |
Action Matrix
| Action | Stocks | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 📈 ACCUMULATE | GIS | RSI 30, approaching oversold — best entry in defensive scan |
| 🔒 HOLD | JNJ, KO, MCD, WMT, COST, HRL | Stable above or near SMA; defensives doing their job |
| 🔍 WATCH | MDLZ, PEP, CLX, PG, CL | Near SMA, RSI neutral; fine to accumulate on further pullback |
| ⚠️ AVOID ADD | JNJ | RSI 66, approaching overbought for a defensive — don't chase |
| — | PM, MO, K, SJM, CPB, HSY, CAG | No price data available — fetch data before acting |
What Changed (vs 2026-02-26)
| Stock | Change | Note |
|---|---|---|
| GIS | RSI dropped to 30 | Now approaching oversold — notable for a defensive staple |
| CLX | -4.3% 7D | Largest 7D drop in scan; below SMA |
| PG | -3.4% 7D | Mild broad staples softness |
| HRL | +3.3% 7D | Outperforming — quiet strength in Hormel |
| JNJ | +6.4% 30D | Best 30D performer in defensive scan — flight to healthcare quality |
| MDLZ | -3.9% 7D | Mondelez underperforming peers, below SMA |
Key Discoveries
| Discovery | Implication |
|---|---|
| Entire defensive universe RSI 30-66, clustered 45-60 | Defensives acting as intended — low volatility, mild underperformance vs growth |
| GIS RSI 30 while 30D is only +0.5% | Technical pressure without fundamental deterioration — contrarian entry forming |
| JNJ +6.4% 30D while rest of defensives flat | Healthcare/pharma hybrid is the preferred safety trade in this environment |
| HRL quiet +3.3% 7D outperformance | Meat/protein categories holding — check for dividend sustainability |
Open Questions
- Why is GIS RSI at 30 with flat 30D? Sector rotation out of food staples to healthcare defensives?
- PM, MO, K, SJM, CPB, HSY, CAG all missing data — need to fetch these for complete defensive picture
- Is JNJ strength sustainable at RSI 66, or mean reversion to 55 likely?
- MDLZ underperformance vs KO/PG/CL peers — category-specific or company-specific headwind?
Related
10 eventsNo direct external sources are attached to this read.